Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

chain miles

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-27-14, 08:20 PM
  #1  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
metz1295's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 319

Bikes: '97 Cannondale M500; '14 Specialized Secteur Compact; '21 Trek Roscoe 7

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Liked 17 Times in 12 Posts
chain miles

approx. how many miles should i go before replacing my chain? i bought the bike new in may and just crossed the 2000 mile mark. not a lot of hard riding. mostly commuting with a few weekend warrior treks. three or four 10 mile TT's for fun.
metz1295 is offline  
Old 10-27-14, 08:30 PM
  #2  
working on my sandal tan
 
ThermionicScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,629

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3871 Post(s)
Liked 2,568 Times in 1,579 Posts
The general wisdom, if you're just going to replace chains sequentially in hopes of making the cassette last longer, is to replace the chain when 12 full links measure 12-1/16" long. Or when your chain checking tool of choice tells you to. This is a hotly-debated topic, so brace yourself.
__________________
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
RUSA #7498
ThermionicScott is offline  
Old 10-27-14, 09:15 PM
  #3  
Administrator
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,558

Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 2,179 Times in 1,469 Posts
Measuring chain wear is the only way to know, at least until you get a sense of your riding style over a long time. Rider weight, terrains, rain and other bad weather conditions, how much your sprint, how hard and often you climb, cadence, and many other things affect waer.
StanSeven is offline  
Old 10-27-14, 09:26 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,716

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5788 Post(s)
Liked 2,580 Times in 1,430 Posts
+1

Yes, despite the prediction, there's no debate so far.

You can't use averages because chain life varies so much person to person, running from a low of less than 1,000 miles to a claimed 18,000. use a ruler and follow the general guideline of replacing at 1/2% stretch (1/16" over 12"). Since this is only a rough guideline and you're eyeballing the measurement, no great amount of precision is called for.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Lenkearney
Bicycle Mechanics
19
09-23-16 08:35 AM
GlennR
Bicycle Mechanics
19
07-19-15 07:43 AM
Bike Gremlin
Commuting
32
11-01-13 05:33 PM
lawnerd
Commuting
16
07-17-13 05:11 PM
ahultin
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
15
11-25-11 08:26 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.